Editorial

15:40 JST, November 29, 2024

Medical checkups for infants and toddlers are important for children to be able to grow up healthy both mentally and physically. As the birth rate declines, it is hoped the system will be further improved.

Currently, municipalities are legally required to provide medical checkups for children at the ages of 1½ and 3 years. Checkups are also conducted for all children before they enter elementary school.

In addition to these checkups, the Children and Families Agency has come out with a policy to provide more generous subsidies to local governments that conduct health checkups for 5-year-olds with the aim of spreading checkups for children of that age. This is aimed at detecting developmental disabilities and supporting children with such disabilities at an early stage.

Developmental disabilities are believed to be rooted in brain function,........

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